Hi all, well I’m back again… was diagnosed in 2007 grade 2, 1 lymph node affected, 1.4mm lump, WLE, lumpectomy, rads, chemo… just recently I was running my hand across my chest and felt a swelling beneath the surface, below the collar bone but above the breast on my affected side. I ignored it for a week thinking it was maybe a swollen lymph node, then last night I felt it again and it’s a definite hard swelling. I am in a bit of a spin as those who’ve gone through it once can imagine. It isn’t in the breast tissue as such and is about 3 cm above my scar tissue in the chest area. I 've got an appointment for next Tuesday with the breast team but I’m so worried it’s a recurrence. I feel fitter than I’ve felt in so long and now am paralysed with the fear that it’s back again. Anyone else had a similar swelling in the chest, you can’t see it but it’s near the surface and feels part of the bone. Would love my mind put at rest but know too well that’s only possible once they’ve looked at it properly. Fingers crossed. Carrie xx
It could be a swelling on the rib. There is a name for it but I can’t remember what. I have been nearly hysterical on a couple of occasions, the first was when I felt a hard lump right where my mx scar was, it was throbbing a bit which was what alerted me to it. Made an emergency apt at breast unit only to be told it was my rib. Has happened again on a higher up rib, they go up quite a long way, so this could be what you’re experiencing?
All the best
Jo xx
Carrie, I seem to have pretty much the same as what you are describing, and I first noticed it at around Christmas time. I was at first very paranoid about it, kept rubbing it and comparing it to the other side of my chest, and in the end it became a bit sore.
Anyway, in January when I saw onc for routine appt, I pointed it out to her and she described it as “prominent” and said it may have been caused by rads but she wasnt sure.
Since then, Ive relaxed about it and only prod it sometimes. Its still there and hasnt changed in any way, it does almost seem like a bony swelling along a rib but not like a lump that can be squeezed between finger and thumb.
I’m due to see onc again in 2 weeks time. I had rads last august.
Obviously you’ve had a greater time span so I cant really say what would cause this in your respect, do you think its been there for a while?
I can feel mine through my clothing and its tender to press on it.
All the best
xxx
No experience but just wanted to wish you all the best.
I’m 4 years out and have had some ‘scares’ which put you back in ‘a place you don’t want to be’. Thankfully, they’ve turned out OK, but I know how scary these can be.
The chances are that it’s nothing, but I know how you feel.
Fingers crossed for a good result.
Mal x
Hi, I had a recurrence in lymph nodes in the chest muscle, 4 years post primary, but it didn’t feel like you describe, if that’s any help to you. Mine was softish and felt just like a lymph node (which of course it was). Yours does not sound like that. You are doing the right thing and getting it checked ou - fingers crossed that its nothing to worry about!
love, Mo x
Hi Carrie
Sorry you have found yourself back here after all those years.
I found a lump about 3 inches below my collar bone on my left chest and unfortunately it turned out to be a recurrence in the top chest muscle. The clinic were brilliant and once it was confirmed as the same as my initial lump in 2009, they sent me for bone and CT scans which thankfully were clear.
I first found the lump as it was itching and it was quite hard, but if I leant forward I could not feel it at all, this was because it was at the back of the top chest muscle.
It was removed in feb and the hole in the muscle has closed over despite losing quite a lot of the muscle. I have now started on chemo to be followed by rads and herceptin and AIs (previously had MX with hormone treatment only).
I really hope that you have good news and the lump turns out to be scar tissue. It is horrible to be on the treadmill again whilst waiting appointments and results. Keep your chin up and I hope you get your reslts quickly as the waiting is horrendous, my team fast tracked the results of the biopsy in 4 days so maybe you can ask them to do the same for you if they need to take a biopsy. Good luck xx
Hi all, I’m a bit worried about my daughter!! She’s 17 and found a lump on top of her left breast, 2 months later she told me so took her to the doctors and on examination the doctor found another 1 under her arm!! The doc confirmed its not a cyst by touch?? Now waiting on an emergency appointment, any advice?? Thanks Eva
Hello Eva - what a terrible worry for you and your daughter. There are various benign conditions which cause lumps. Have a look in the publications section of this site, I’m sure there’s a leaflet. There’s one that’s called a lipoma. I have one in my leg but I have a colleague who has lots in various locations on his body. They’re harmless, fatty lumps. I sincerely hope that your daughter’s lumps are some such thing and that your minds are put at rest very soon.
Best wishes.
X
2 weeks & 2 days ago I found a lump in this area & was in for an ultrasound & needle biopsy today. On the ultrasound you can see it’s straight above the end of the rib, & it is very tender, but then so was my original lump which I found on the 27th July 2013.
Surgeon said he’d not seen anything like this, but that it was more regularily shaped than my original lump, which was just 2cm below this one, & was grade 3, stage 1, invasive breast cancer. Had FEC-T chemo & a Fast Forward program radiotherapy treatment (full dose, but in a third of the usual time), & a lumpectomy, & 3 lymph nodes removed, but no nodal involvement.
All the best with yours - getting biopsy results on Fri between 5 & 6pm.
Good luck with your results Mans.
I have a small (50p) size painful if pressed lump below my collar bone and above my breast … not sure if seeing the doctor would be a waste of people’s time. Sounds silly but feels tubular. Like a large jelly bean. Thank you . xxx
I know it’s a late answer but I hope it has went well.
I am worried about the same problem although I don’t have a breast cancer but my mom has it and I’m really afraid it could be it
Mine is a also bony but lower than yours, right at the upper side of my breast but feels like a part of the rib. I have leukaemia tho but my oncollogist said my type doesn’t cause bone swelling so I’m guessing it’s not related. I’m terryfied about the idea of having to deal with another cancer and I really can’t find anything on the internet that could cause it except from a “tumor”. I can’t wait more and Ill have it checked out on Thursday
I found a hard lump above my left breast toward center on top of rib I beleive. To the left of it there is thickining from it to under armpit. I had appotiment with my gyn on the 11. He said he was sending me for mammogram and ultrasound. I have this booked for the 17. Its the waiting thats stressing me out. Cancer does run very high in my family.fingers crossed.
Hi everyone
I have just found a hard largish lump on my breast just below my collarbone . I have felt thenother side and no lump on there. Do i see someone…its a bit confusing as sites say different things. I had a mammogram over 3 years ago and this was clear. The lump doesn’t hurt and cant be seen when looking in mirror. Thanks in advance for any suggestions